Rein-controlling means.



Patented Hot. N), I899.

No. 634,45l.

B. J. GATLING. REIN CONTROLLING MEANS.

(Application filed July 29 1899.)

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD J. GATLING, OF NEWV YORK, N. Y.

RElN-CONTROLLING MEANS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 634,451, dated October 10, 1899. Application filed July 29, 1899. Serial No- 725,44=1. (N0 m d To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, RICHARD J. GATLING, a citizen of the United States, residing in New York,in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rein Controlling Means, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to rein-controlling means, and more particularly it relates to a device of this class carried and controlled by the body of the wearer for controlling the reins of a team, thereby to permit the hands of the driver to be free for use or to be protected from the cold.

The object of the invention is to provide a rein-controlling device simple in construction and which can be readily placed in position on or quickly removed from the body of the driver, and will enable him to effectively con trol the reins by the movements of his shoulders, whereby his hands are left free for use or can be protected from the cold, and which device, moreover, is of such a construction that in case of accident it can be readily freed from the body without the use of the hands.

In the drawings accompanying and form ing part of this specification, Figure l is a perspective view of one form of this device. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of another form thereof. Fig. 3 is a detail view of one of the rein-holding hooks; and Fig. 4 is also a detail view, partly in section, of one of said hooks, said views illustrating the manner of securing the hooks in position to prevent rotary movement thereof.

Similar characters of reference designate like parts in all the figures of the drawings.

The invention is designed to enable a driver to control his team Without the use of his hands, whereby they are left free for use or can be protected from the cold. In many instances, especially in farming, it is desirable that the driver shall have the free use of his hands, which is impossible when he is obliged to hold the reins in order to control the team. It is also frequently desirable in places where the winters are extremely cold that the driver be able to protect his hands, which frequently become stiff and numb when obliged to hold the reins even when protected by heavy gloves. To accomplish the objects above set forth, I provide a device simple in its con struction and which can be placed upon the shoulders of the driver to permit him, by the movements thereof, to readily control the team. By the use of this device the necessity of placing the reins over the head and around the shoulders, which is extremely dangerous, since in case of accident there is no means of quickly freeing the body from such reins, is avoided.

This improved rein-controlling device, in the form thereof herein shown and which may be its preferred form, if desired, comprises in a general way means for attaching the same to the body of the driver and means for holding the reins, and in some constructions the bod y-attaching means is adjustable, whereby it may be adjusted to suit various sizes of bodies. In the presentconstruction this attaching means is shown comprehendingshoulder-engagingmeans,preferablycomprising a pair of bent members, straps, or arms 2, adapted to extend over the shoulders of the driver. Each of these arms is provided at its free end with apad 3, of any suitable construction, adapted to engage the back of the driver, and which pads may be adjustable, if desired, so as to conform to the movements of the shoulders or the shape of the back at the points of contact. These arms have their front ends connected together by some suitable means which extends across the breast of' the driver, thereby to maintain such arms in position. In that form thereof shown in Fig. 1 this means comprises a bow-shaped member 4, secured to said arms, and, if desired, the arms may be adjustable longitudinally thereof to fit various breadths of shoulders, (see dotted lines, Fig. 1,) being secured thereto by screws or bolts. As shown, however, in full lines, the arms are rigidly se cured to the bow-shaped member, inside of the ends thereof, although in some forms they may be secured adjacent to such ends, in which case the rein holding means may be secured at the same points. In the present instance, however, the rein-holding means (shown herein as hooks 5) are secured adjacent to the ends of the bow-shaped member. Any other suitable means adapted for holding the reins may be used, if desired.

In the form shown in Fig. 2 the arms 2 are pivotally connected to a triangular member (5, comprising two bars 7 and S, pivotally secured at their lower ends, whereby they are adjustable toward and from each other. The apex of this member is in position to engage the body above the belt and assists in maintaining the device in position and also relieves the backfrom pressure. The adjustment of such members, and thereby of the shoulder-arms toward and from each other to fit different breadths of shoulders, may be secured in anysuitable manner. In the present instance it is accomplished by the use of a strap, the outer ends of which are secured adjacent to the pivotal points of said shoulder members with said bars. This is accomplished in the present instance by providing the rein-holding means with laterally-projecting portions 7, having slots 8, through which the ends of the strap extend.

The rein-holding means in the form shown comprises a pair of hooks 9, having inturned ends 10 to prevent the too-ready detachment of the reins. Each of these hooks has, as above set forth, a laterally-extending portion '7 and is provided with a recess 12 on its rear side, adapted to receive the lower end of its respective shoulder member, whereby the rotary movement of the hook is prevented, said hook being secured in position in any suitable manner, as by riveting the rear end of its shank, which extends through the shoulder member and bar and constitutes the pivot thereof.

In use the shoulder members are placed over the shoulders, with the pads at the back, and in those cases where such members are adjustable toward and from each other-as, for instance, the device shown in Fig. 2the strap is adjusted to bring the members into position to firmly rest on the shoulders, the bow-shaped portion of the device shown in Fig. 1 and the strap in Fig. 2 conforming to the breast of the wearer. The reins are then placed in the hooks, whereupon it will be seen that by the backward movement of the right or left shoulder the right or left rein, as the case may be, will be pulled to thereby control the team in a manner readily understood, and this without the use of the hands. \Vhen, however, it is desirable at times to control the reins by the hands, this can be readily done by merely tapping the rein with the hand, after which the hand can be removed to protect it from the cold or continue its use in other directions. In those cases where it is desirable to quickly free the driver from the device this can be done without the use of the hands by merely bending forward the body, so that the reins will pull the device from the shoulders, the bow-shaped form of the member I permitting it to clear the chin on the bending forward of the head.

In conclusion it will be seen that the device can be readily placed in position or removed therefrom, while at the same time its organization is such as to permit the quick and ready controlling of the team without the use of the hands, which, as hereinbeforc stated, is an essential advantage in cold climates or in farming, where it is desirable to use the hands for other purposes.

In addition to the use above set forth, it may also be used in connection with bicycles to steer the same, the handle-bar being c011- nected therewith in some suitable manner as, for instance, by rods.

Having described my invention, I claim 1. A rein controlling device comprising shoulder-engaging means, and means for carrying the reins, located in position so that on the movement of the shoulders a pull will be exerted on one or the other of the reins.

2. In a rein-controlling device, the combination of shoulder engaging means, and means comprising hooks for carrying the reins, located in position so that on the movement of the shoulders a pull will be exerted on one or the other of the reins.

:3. A rein controlling device comprising means for engaging the shoulders; pads secured thereto for engaging the back; and means comprising hooks for carrying the reins, located in position so that on the movement of the shoulders a pull will be exerted on one or the other of the reins.

4. A rein -controlling device comprising means for engaging the body of the driver, and means for carrying the reins, located in position so thaton the movement of the shoulders a pull will be exerted on one orthe other of the reins.

5. A rein-controlling device comprising means for engaging the body of the wearer and including means extending across the breast, and means for carrying the reins, located in position so that on the movement of the other of the reins.

(3. A rein-controlling device comprising means for engaging the shoulders of the driver; means for engaging the back; means for engaging the front of the body; and means for carrying the reins, and located in position so that on the movement of the shoulders a pull will be exerted on one or the other of the reins.

7. A rein-controlling device comprising adjustable means for engaging the body of the wearer, and means for supporting the reins, located in position so that on the movement of the shoulders a pull will be exerted on one or the other of the reins.

8. A rein -controlling device comprising means for engaging the shoulders of the wearer; means for adjusting such shoulderengaging means to fit various breadths of shoulders; and means for carrying the reins.

0. A rein-controlling device comprising a pair of members adapted to engage the shoulders of the wearer; a pair of depending members pivotally secured thereto and to each other at their lower ends for supporting said members in position;

shoulder engaging the shoulders a pull will be exerted on one or ineans for adjusting said shoulder members;

and means for carrying the reins.

10. A rein-controlling device comprising a pair of members adapted to engage the shoulders of the wearer; a pair of depending members pivotally secured thereto and to each other at their lower ends for supporting said shoulder members in position; means for adjusting said shoulder members; and hooks carried by said device for carrying the reins.

11. In a rein-controller, the combination of a pair of curved members adapted to extend over the shoulders and provided at their free ends with pads for engaging the back of the wearer; a pair of members pivotally secured to said shoulder members and to each other at their lower ends; a strap in position to adjust said shoulder members; and means for carrying the reins.

12. In a rein-controller, the combination of a pair of curved members adapted to extend over the shoulders and provided at their free ends with pads for engaging the back of the wearer; a pair of depending members pivotally secured to said shoulder members and to each other at their lower ends; a strap seextend'over the shoulders, each having a pad for engaging the back of the wearer; a pair of depending members pivotally secured to said shoulder members and to each other at their lower ends; a pair of hooks for carrying the reins, the shanks thereof extending through said shoulder and depending members to form the pivots thereof, each of said hooks having a recess for the reception of the ends of one of said members, thereby to prevent rotary movement of the hook, and each of said hooks also having a laterally-extending portion; and an adjustable strap connected to said laterally-extending portions for adjusting said shoulder members to fit various bread ths of shoulders.

14. A rein-controlling device comprising adjustable means for engaging the body of the wearer and adjustable to correspond with the various breadths of bodies, and means for carrying the reins.

15. A rein-controlling device comprising adjustable shoulder-en gaging means, adj Listable to correspond with various breadths of shoulders; means connecting said shoulderengaging means; and rein-carrying means.

16. A rein-controlling device comprising shoulder-engaging means; means connected thereto for shiftable movement thereby to ad= just said shoulder-engaging means to corre spond with various breadths of shoulders; and means for carrying the reins.

17. A rein -controlling devicev comprising means for engaging the body of the wearer; means connectedv therewith for shiftable movement relatively thereto, whereby said body-engaging means may be adjusted to fit various sizes thereof; and means for carrying the reins.

18. A rein-controlling device comprising a pair of members adapted to engage the shoulders of the wearer; a pair of members connected thereto and to each other for shift= able'movement; and means for carrying the reins.

19. A rein-controlling device comprising means for engaging the shoulders of the wearer; means connected to said shoulderengaging means for engaging the breast of the wearer; and means located adjacent to the shoulders for carrying the reins whereby on the movement of the shoulders a pull will be exerted on one or the other of the reins.

- RICHARD J. GATLING.

Witnesses:

JOHN O. SEIFERT, O. A. WEED. 

